“This year, Sterling FFA continued with the tradition of greatness. We welcomed a new adviser, completed many new activities and had numerous successes through competitions,” Cook said during her welcome.

There were also two special awards handed out to individuals who have dedicated their time and effort to the chapter and gone above and beyond the call of duty. Recipients of the Blue and Gold Award were Joni Kinney and Ken, Melissa and Kelsey Bornhoft.

A number of students were recognized at the banquet, including two teams that competed at the National FFA Convention last fall. The ag mechanics team - Jon Yetter, Josh Frank, Alex Grauberger and Klinzmann, placed eighth in the nation and the ag communications team – Mitchell, Kelsey Bornhoft and Scott Rosas did well also.

Colorado FFA state president Tim Stahley, of Sterling, encourages students to find a purpose in life, during the Sterling High School FFA awards banquet, Wednesday, April 23, 2014. (Callie Jones/Journal-Advocate)

Students that competed in the district leadership development events this spring included:

Other awards given out included the Star Greenhand Award, which went Abbey Brower; the Chapter Star Farmer Award, which went to Klinzmann; and the Most Improved Award, which went to Lerdal.

After senior members and their parents were recognized two special awards were handed out. The Lin-Weld Sterling High School Vo Ag Science Award went to Klinzmann and DeKaulb Ag Excellence Award went to Cook.

Several scholarships were given out as well, including the John Knaub Memorial Scholarship to Matt Brower, the Gerald and Tom Roth Memorial Scholarship to Klinzmann and the Sterling FFA Mother's Club Scholarship to Cook, Klinzmann, Brandon Lockman and Matt Brower

Following the awards, Colorado FFA state president Tim Stahley, a Sterling FFA alumni, spoke about the tradition of Sterling FFA. The chapter was chartered in 1929, making it one of the oldest chapter's in the country, and it has had over 100 state degrees, four national winning CDE teams, was a Model of Innovation winner (an award given to the best chapter in nation) and has had “just an overall strong tradition that puts out some really, really successful people.”

He encouraged the FFA members to go above and beyond and to find a purpose in life.

“I know the potential that each and everyone of the FFA members hold's in this chapter,” Stahley said. “You guys can really, really, really do great things if you want to.”

Then it was time for Cook to give her retiring address. She spoke about falling down in life.

“As we get older it gets harder and harder for us to get back up after we fall and it gets harder for us to try again after we fail,” Cook said. “What we don't realize is that every time we fall down, every time we fail. we learn something from that.”

She encouraged the FFA members to not let being scared of failing keep them from trying new things.

“I believe each and every one of you has the potential to step up and face your fears and overcome your fear of failure,” Cook told the FFA members.

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